October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month in many parts of the world. Breast cancer awareness is an effort to increase recognition of the disease and reduce the shame brought on to one by education on symptoms and treatment. Greater knowledge of this disease can increase early detection and survival rates amongst those who might be living with it. Money that is raised for breast cancer goes toward a reliable permanent cure.
Breast cancer awareness advocates raise funds and provide needed knowledge and patient empowerment. Educational campaigns are held along with free or low cost services. We all associate breast cancer with the prominent symbol of the Pink Ribbon.
October is also Red Ribbon Week, which is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985.
Category: News
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Awareness Month
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Book Review: The History of Long Beach Poly: Scholars and Champions
Although it is not on the New York Times Best Sellers list, the new book The History of Long Beach Poly: Scholars and Champions is getting a lot of attention these days in not only Poly, but the whole city of Long Beach. The authors, Mike Guardabascio, a Poly alumni, and Tyler Hendrickson, explore the unique aspects of our historic school from the beginning in 1895 through present day Poly. The book includes sections of early Poly days, how the World Wars affected life at Poly, celebrity alumni features, original traditions created by the school, and more information about Poly I don’t even think our principals know about.
Overall, there is a ton of intriguing information, but I’m not quite sure if ALL of Poly can fit into 191 pages only. Each chapter has small sections like “Football” in the chapter “Poly’s Sports Programs” where it only covers a page and a half. For a high school that is known for our football team with the most drafted NFL players, the section could’ve been a bit longer, more in depth. Perhaps it was a style decision, they want to keep it short and prompt, but it feels to me that the authors just gathered “cool” information and slapped it together to form this book. Now, the grammar errors are even less forgivable.
The book wasn’t all just sloppy facts, I did feel as if the book was a good overview of our school. As they said in an interview on The 562.org, “somebody’s gonna find this and fall in love with Long Beach.” I agree with this, I do believe this book was aimed for an audience that is not familiar with Long Beach or Poly itself, which could have been the whole point of writing it. Furthermore, the interview also made the authors’ love for Poly apparent and a strong inspiration for the production of this book. However, the lack of depth and careless errors made me feel this book did not fully express or reflect their love for Long Beach Poly High School. -
SAT/PSAT Study-a-Thon at the College and Career Center
October, characterized notoriously for the horrors and goosebumps, took another form of scary on October 15; this time in the form of a test. A test that lasted for a treacherous five hours.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (most commonly known as the SAT) was administered to seniors while the PSAT was administered to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. This year, all Poly students were confronted by a gloomy, foggy morning as they trudged to their assigned classroom, wishing that the grim morning would not foreshadow the day. However, despite the dreary environment, there was hope: this year, many students took advantage of the Study-A-Thon at the College and Career Center.
The coordinators of the SAT Study-A-Thon were Alaa Shhub and Roc’Kale Bowman. They described the “Study-A-Thon [as] an event and place for students to study for the SAT using Khan Academy…in order to improve their scores.” They stated that an astounding amount of students showed up: approximately 100. With the success of the Study-A-Thon this year, they will be hosting it again during the spring semester.
Students who took advantage of the College and Career Center were ecstatic. They were lured in by the advertisement of an increase of 90 points, and of course, pepperoni and cheese pizza.
Leann Namuco, an 11th grader in the PACE program, said, “This was a welcoming experience and comfortable. Yet although it was pretty loud and was sometimes a little difficult to study, it is still beneficial and would recommend suggesting to other people because it was more fun to study in groups. Not only that, you will learn better than being alone. Plus there was pizza.” -
What’s New with the CARE Center
High school is stressful for even the most successful of students. Whether because of the schoolwork itself or something else happening at home or between relationships, the CARE Center in Room 205 provides a safe place for students to talk with a counselor (Michael Gray) when they are stressed, overworked, or struggling. Gray aims to help students develop good habits along a healthier mindset to face and work out problems in their life.
This year, the CARE Center is working on a project to “elevate the importance of mental wellness skills equal to Algebra and essay writing,” Gray said. Academic topics are held at the highest standard on terms of importance, where “mental wellness is barely existent in terms of what percentage of students feel strong in their mental wellness skills. We don’t even teach mental wellness skills.”
Daily emails have been sent out to students via Schoolloop, called “Stronger 2gether,” to help students learn these skills, such as planning your day, keeping a “gratitude journal,” and self-reflection exercises.
“Developing Future Mental and Behavioral Health” is a class offered periods 1-6 as a capstone of the MEDS pathway. Students are able to help and talk to other students, similar to how Gray does.
“We basically talk a lot about how to solve conflicts,” Laura Clemons, a junior in the fifth period class, said. “We talk about what we can do to help better ourselves.” An example of this is how Gray has been teaching her is that we need to stop “should-ing” ourselves: when we tell ourselves we “should” do something instead of how we are going to do something, we tend to procrastinate more often.
Gray is also requesting video ideas/concepts from students for Stronger 2gether. For anyone interested, talk to Mr. Gray in Room 805 before school, at nutrition, and at lunch. -
fUN with Model UN
Model United Nations, also known as Model UN, is an elective class here at Poly run by sophomore PACE teacher Patrick Gillogly. In class, students role play as delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees.
The team had their first conference of the year October 12 at Cerritos High School. Over half of the individuals on the team received awards for excellence.
October 26, the team also participated in an event at UC San Diego.
Poly will host a Model UN conference that is a one day simulation on May 16, 2020. Students will play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with policies, keeping in mind the perspective of their countries. -
Spilling the Tea on the AP Cafe
The AP Cafe is now open for business periods 7 and 8 and after school until 4 p.m. on the second floor of the 100 building.
The AP Cafe first opened last school year as a safe place for AP students to relieve stress, get tutoring, or work with partners for homework or group projects. Last year was a bit of a “beta test,” as AP coordinator Jason West, seen on the right, called it, but this year it has returned with a larger variety of supplies, resources, and treats for AP students (including West’s famous assortment of tea).
One student told West that she really liked the space because it made her feel like she was cared about. The atmosphere and decor of the room have been specifically designed for this effect, and West is happy that students have taken a liking to it. He aims to maintain a space where students that are challenging themselves can relax and have a comfortable place to go for help. “You can’t just make the assumption that the kid is eating or taking care of themselves,” he said, hence the supply of refreshments available for the students.
“We’re very down to business here, and they give you help straight on,” CIC student Marco Menes said. “They actually helped me get my grade up in physics. I had a D originally, and I got it up to an A-.” Thanks to one of the tutors, Vasil “Vasco” Gucev, Menes was also able to raise a failing grade in geometry to a B.
The Cafe is a lot busier this year than it was previously, but that means that more tutors are needed to help out. West is specifically interested in hiring students with unscheduled periods 1 and 2 so he can make the Cafe available during those times, as well.
Gucev said that the desire to help others is what makes a good tutor. There are other more efficient ways to make money or improve a college resume, he says, but one of the greatest feelings in the world to him is when a struggling student leaves with a clearer understanding because of what he was able to help them with. “That’s what a tutor does: he reiterates something again and again and again in multiple different ways…they change the way you look at the picture until it makes sense.”
This year, West has started the AP Cafe Club to organize fundraisers for future resources and treats. He would also like to see systems set in place for the Cafe to continue over the years. “Beyond your years at this school, beyond my years at this school, I want this place to last,” he said.
While the Cafe is mainly targeted as an aid for AP students, West would describe it as a club rather than a VIP lounge. Students are welcome to invite friends outside of AP courses, as well.
West would also like to remind students that rules for the AP tests have changed from last year. AP students should have been registered for the exam in class, but there will be no penalty if they do not pay and do not want to take it. Once the test is paid for, students will be charged $40 if they do not attend. Many resources and practice tests are available on the College Board website for studying purposes. -
Poly to Eliminate Justice Pathway
On September 23, Principal William Salas sent out an e-mail informing the Poly community that JUSTICE would no longer be a pathway.
Due to a recent decrease in school enrollment throughout the district, administration was faced with the task of eliminating one of the seven pathways. Initial discussions began in April, and on June 19, the Instruction Leadership Team (ILT) (consisting of the principal and assistant principal, department heads, pathway lead teachers and counselors), held a meeting where they collected and analyzed data regarding each pathway.
After months of deliberation, on September 4, it was collectively decided that the JUSTICE pathway would be discontinued. The remaining issue was what to do with the current JUSTICE students.
JUSTICE teachers were faced with two options: they could keep the amount of students they already had or disperse them into other pathways.
The latter option was chosen as it would give the students an opportunity to finish their high school career in the pathway they started in. It would also be unfair and more complicated to disperse them at this point.
While the decision may not affect students academically (as they will suffer no changes in their course of study), JUSTICE faculty fear a great asset is being taken away.
“Justice is the only pathway that highlighted and showcased injustice,” said history teacher Michael Tinsley, who believes it important for youth to have a venue for awareness.
Pathway lead teacher Daryl Holmlund also believes it is unfortunate that students and teachers are losing this resource.
“Some teachers were very passionate about the social justice element of the program and I’m disappointed for them,” said Holmlund, “but also for the students who wanted to be in the pathway and are no longer able to.”
Students chose JUSTICE because it reflected their passion and interests, so they find it unfair that others will not be able to have that same experience.
“It’s unfair because a lot of people who were interested in law won’t be able to get this foundation for college,” Mireya Delgado, a JUSTICE senior, said.
“If students are interested in social justice or being an activist,” said JUSTICE freshman Isaac Betancourt, “they should be able to come to Poly and be part of a pathway that supports that.”
English teacher Amy Stuht understands the concerns this decision creates, but prefers to maintain a positive outlook.
Stuht said, “This decision does not mean the death of JUSTICE aspirations, but only the closing of an organized pathway.”
JUSTICE will no longer be accepting incoming freshmen, and will transition out over the next four years. In the meantime, current JUSTICE students will continue to take advantage of what the pathway has to offer. -
College and Career Center Wants You!
After a seemingly short and hot summer, school is finally up and running with the new 2019-2020 school year. Class of 2020 is now focusing on school, college, and life after school. What colleges do you want to go to? Are you having trouble figuring out how to start applying for colleges and/or financial aid? The College and Career Center has various resources and guides to help you with college and life after graduating.
Throughout first semester, college reps will be visiting to give information about the colleges you may be planning to attend. You can visit the college and career center to sign up for view the dates that colleges will be visiting. For each visit, you must sign up prior to the fate of the visit. You must also have a pass to attend the visit unless you are unscheduled. During unscheduled periods, you may attend a visit without a pass but you do need to sign up and bring your student ID.
Along with College Rep Visits, the college and career center will be holding different workshops to prepare you for applying to colleges and financial aid. On September 19th, there was a Financial Aid workshop at 5:30pm. On September 30th, there was a First Generation College Student Workshop for first generation college students during 7th period. Also, on October 1st, 2019, FAFSA, California Dream Act, Community College, and Cal State Applications will be open!
Visit the College and Career Center for more information on applications, help, scholarships, and resources. Also meet the new college advisors! Stay tuned for more info! -
New Clubs at Club Rush
Introducing Big/Little Club
With the start of the new school year comes new clubs and new students, welcome freshmen! What better way to welcome our new freshmen into Poly other than having a club that is made to help freshmen feel apart of this new community. The Big/Little program is paired up with Poly PACE seniors and is designed to support freshmen as they transition into the high school environment while also learning about Poly.
Each senior involved is paired with a freshman based on similar interests or where they went to middle school. Every month they will meet and share tips about time management and other strategies to be successful in high school. This program not only helps freshmen get acquainted with the Poly climate, it also encourages bonds to form and creates friendships. The Big/Little program was first thought of by Poly PACE senior, Kaelyn Moses, in 2019 as a way to guide freshmen smoothly into the PACE program. Freshman year can be challenging in the way that it is a new place with lots of more people and more responsibilities. With the academic pressure and the need for quick adaptation into freshman year, this program can help reduce stress for a more enjoyable start to high school.
Welcoming FIDM
Introducing the new FIDM Fashion Club sponsored by FIDM LA is a new club this year at Poly Highschool. President Hannah Jara, junior, and Co-President, Jailyn Lewis, senior, are bringing this club to Poly to highlight the talent and diversity present within the Poly population. The FIDM Fashion Club will feature various workshops to help students perfect their craft whether it be in texiles, styling, drawing etc. There will also be a field trip to the Debut FIDM LA Fashion Show in April! Students who become members in the FIDM Fashion Club will be rewarded renweable scholarship money if they choose toi attend FIDM. Meetings are in Room 309 on Fridays during lunch. Hope to see you there!
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New Admin, Who Dis?
This school year at Long Beach Poly High School, there have been quite a few adjustments thrown around the school which highly contrasts it from previous years. High schools have switched from two principals, to one principal on site. They have gone from Co-principals (two principals) to one principal at each high school. In other words, this change has not only impacted Poly, but it had also affected all other Long Beach Unified School District high schools as well. The difference between this year and last is that the position of vice principal opened just now. Last year, our head administration consisted of co-principals Mr. Bill Salas and Mr. Quentin Brown, meanwhile the leadership arrangement at Poly now consists of our principal, Mr. Salas, vice principal, Mr. Brown, and 3 assistant principals.
Of course along with change come impacts. There have been several people who have been affected by this change. However the main people would be the lead administration. As Mr. Salas stated, “there is definitely a sense of more responsibility for the principal”. He also mentions how there has been a change in communication. Now teachers and other staff members among the community, can now go to the one person as opposed to who is in charge of taking care of certain areas of the school.
Overall, this has not necessarily been a good or bad change to the school or the people of the school. Instead it can be seen as a change that can help these administrators learn to navigate and be able to handle as well as manage themselves through a new experience. It’s also beneficial that there’ll only be one person whom the staff members can go to if they need help rather than two separate ones because it’ll make it easier for them to look for and go to that one person.
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Late To Class? Get a Pass
Attention all Poly students! This is a quick reminder that you must be in class before the tardy bell rings. Teachers, please remember to close your doors…
If you’ve been paying attention to the intercom for the past two weeks, then you’ve surely heard this or a similar announcement.
Constant announcements after the bell rings for passing period is just one aspect of Poly’s new tardy policy.Having taken effect at the beginning of the school year, the policy intends to reduce the amount of tardies throughout campus. Tardiness has been a problem at Poly, with over 80,000 tardies just last year. This is the main reason the policy was created.
The policy consists of the usual two minute bell during which staff members encourage students to get to class. Once the final bell rings, teachers are expected to shut their doors and not let anyone else in. If you are unable to make it to class on time then you will need to find a staff member around campus who can give you a tardy pass.
If the policy is not followed, consequences can be expected. A student with three or more tardies is assigned lunch detention. If the amount of tardies goes up to six then the consequence will be after school detention.
The team in charge of creating and enforcing this new policy is the Safe and Civil Committee led by new Assistant Principal Shannon Young. According to Young, teachers presented the information that the amount of people coming into class late can become a distraction and disturb teaching.
The results are already apparent as the amount of tardies has been reduced by 33% over the same time period last year, according to Young. Students are visibly more hurried to get to class and areas which were previously known for loitering are now clear.
Periods 1 and 2 however, continue to be the periods with most tardies. Young is not discouraged by this information.“We are hoping that as we continue to enforce and utilize our progressive discipline,” said Young, “we continue to see a reduction in periods 1 and 2.”
Teachers and students views on the other hand, differ. Students believe the policy could be more understanding.
“Instead of punitive repercussions, they could offer incentives as encouragement instead,” said MEDS Academy senior Kerah Hunter.“They should be more lenient,” said Brooke Coleman, a junior in BEACH Academy. Coleman points out the diversity of students who attend Poly and who might live farther away, “The school doesn’t understand the struggles of getting to school on time.”
The unequal distribution of punishment among students, is one of the concerns of English teacher and Softball coach, Elizabeth Sanches. Sanches said there needed to be a balance between the consequences for a student who is a few minutes late compared to the one who is 40 minutes late.
“To punish them both in the same manner doesn’t seem fair,” said Sanches. Regardless, she believes that after the tardy mess of last year, the policy is necessary.
English teacher, Kerry Boyd, also agrees it is necessary. “Students have been more motivated to get to class on time, especially compared to last year,” said Boyd.
Poly’s new tardy policy will continue to be in effect throughout the school year. Administration hopes to successfully continue reducing the amount of tardies and create a balanced environment for teaching and learning.
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Prom 2019: Time to Shine!
Sunday May 26 at 7:00 PM at the Hotel Maya was where the class of 2019s prom was held. At the event there was food, games, caricature, henna, karaoke, photo booth and multiple dance rooms.
The weather was not as cooperative before prom, as it was raining. Multiple girls were either holding their dresses up or not even bothering to do so.
Not only did they have a main dance room but there was also room dedicated to just music in Spanish. In previous years, this was not a thing and people were upset about having very limited songs played.
Most of the activities were present in the same building as the Spanish DJ. There was some confusion amongst students about where some of the activities were. With the food not many people were enjoying the food, such as on how on one side there was cold food and the other having hot food.
Senior Denise Diaz said her experience was “fun” and really liked the Spanish DJ. Diaz noticed that people who “normally don’t dance to Spanish music” were dancing to it. Although much people weren’t fond of the food, Diaz enjoyed the “chicken tenders”. She disliked walking in her heels, as she had to keep going “back and forth” and it felt like “forever” walking in them.
Senior Darli Ortiz doesn’t consider herself much of a “party person” but for prom being one of her first “parties” she found it enjoyable. Ortiz disliked the fact that there was “two different ballrooms”, as everyone was separate and there not being much unity.
Senior Montserrat Valencia Delgado preferred the spanish DJ as they played spanish music and was “smaller”. Delgado was alternating between the two dance rooms and liked that there was a “variety” of spanish music. Senior Jose Diaz added onto what Delgado said and stated that due to it being small “you could request songs”. Senior Rachcna Sokhom-Khou also said the area with the Spanish DJ was “crowded”.
Senior Evelyn Sanchez was surprised when arriving to prom, as she expected “less” to be present. Sanchez felt the main dance room could have been “a lot better”. Sanchez liked the Spanish DJ but when it came to him playing music, he played a lot of “reggaeton” and she didn’t know how to “dance to it”. Sanchez for the most part had her expectation pretty low for prom, but when at the event felt it had went past her expectations.
Senior Amy Martinez had most of the same remarks as other students but did point out about the lack of seating, and how people were “standing up” and had “nowhere” to put their stuff.
The night ended with confetti falling from the ceiling and songs relating to having a good time and living or remembering the moment. Doors started opening up at 10:30 but most students stayed for the entirety of prom.